DAY 1 - CLASSIC SPRINT

UPDATED: 6:30am - Morning run. It is WARM out there!
7:29am - Call from the coaches saying it is SO warm, we might need klister skis! 1:45 of ski testing yesterday, waxing and race preparation out the window. And so it goes. I love klister and I hope it goes there. If not today, most likely it will tomorrow.

We have heard forecasts from the teens to the forties so anything goes, here in Canmore, Alberta. Game continued...

11:11am - I start in the back, with the juniors because I don't have any points from last year. I started 4th from last today and passed 2 girls before I even got out of the stadium. To start with - that equals not fast. Another thing that equals not fast is when you are the only one herring boning up all of the hills. I was into it but things just didn't line up for me today.

The good news is that tomorrow we have the exact same race on the same course with the same technique. Believe me, my skis will be kicking up those hills tomorrow.

Most of the team plans to sit out the heats today since US qualification goes off of the prelim. We will all be ready for tomorrow.

Results will be HERE when they come up. I didn't stick around to see how I or anyone on the team placed. If I know before Zone4 posts, I will do another update.

A disappointing day for me but it is done. Fuel for the fire. `kate

BC TO AB

The team left Silver Star, British Columbia Canada yesterday morning and made the crazy-beautiful drive to Canmore, Alberta.

One view from the back of the bus - not to shabby

I woke this morning to a small head-cold and an unplanned day off. I will be out skiing tomorrow if things don't get worse. For now, I am eating lots of Thyme, Cumin and heading for a nap.

Back in connection with the World Wide Web (aka, World Wide sans our last location) so check back soon.

WEST '09, concluded.

Saturday's 15k classic

This first week of the season in West Yellowstone, MT didn't go as I had hoped. Top 30 in the 3 starts so far is not even close to where I need to and know I can be. I had a long ski alone in the sun today to think on it all, came to some good conclusions and this coming weekend is going to be better... good even!

The SVODT is staying in West until Thursday, when we will head up to Bozeman for a skate sprint and 10/15k classic race.

Great job to our US athletes in Europe - getting it done. Podium in your future Bird, we are all routing for you!

THE 4-8 MINUTE RACE

West Yellowstone, MT - Today's race was a sprint. The unique part about it however, was that we only did the qualifier. In the Olympics, if you don't qualify in the top 30, your day will be finished. The best way to select the fastest Americans, that will make it into that top 30, is to give points to the qualification round. With more races this weekend, heats were not run.

Just over 4 minutes for the fastest and as long as 8 and a half for the back of the pack, there was no room for error today. My roommate was 2nd, GO SIMI! (Sorry, I had to get that out of the way.) The other half of our house (that would be me) didn't do so hot.

I don't have any sprint points from last year and so I started 256th, in the back of the pack. Consequently, I did quite a bit of passing, although it was more than my position that led to my 29th place finish. My skis were great (thanks to Mal, Ash & Trav) but my pace was more suited for a 5k.

First start in a year under the belt and I have my 5k pace down for Saturday's race. All is not lost. Here are the top finishers from today with full results available at Summit Timing.

Women:
1. Dasha Gaiazova, Canada
2. Laura Valaas, USA
3. Shayla Swanson, Canada
4. Holly Brooks, USA
5. Madeleine Williams, Canada

Men:
1. Garrott Kuzzy, USA
2. Simi Hamilton, USA
3. Sean Crooks, Canada
4. Drew Goldsack, Canada
5. Reid Pletcher, USA

2009-2010, SEASON START

The birds fly south, the retired migrate to Florida and the skiers pack up their duffel bags to chase flakes in West Yellowstone, Montana. This is November; the season of location change.

Although my ski team comes darn close to immediate, it has been almost a decade since I have had Thanksgiving with my family. This year, we race on the eve of the feast as well as the two days following so the day of thanks will be filled with eating and resting!

Colin, Sophie, Mikey - North of Ketchum, the week before West

A year ago this Friday I raced the first event of the season and tore 2 and bulged 3 disks in my lower back. This time around, things will be better. The classic sprint on Wednesday is a qualifier (roughly a 1.5k race). Friday is a 5k skate with a 10k classic to follow on Saturday. These are three races that I am excited for, confident about and ready to do. Let the games begin.

Ferritin update: From 11 in September to 20 in October, I am now at 30! Continuing my treck back up to 60, where I was in '06, I am headed in the right direction. hopefully a really encouraging post to come on Wednesday! `kate